OPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Under the prior rules, an F-1 student could be authorized to receive up to a total of 12 months of practical training either before (pre-) and/or after (post-) completion of studies.

Relation between F-1 OPT and H-1B lottery change of status and changing employers

2 years ago By Chief Editor 2 comments

Question details

I am a student on F-1 and will be graduating by December 2022. Company A is willing to apply for an H-1B for me this year. I am interviewing with other companies, and I am planning to drop company A as soon as I graduate

1. If I am selected in the lottery and haven't done a change of status, can I continue on F-1 OPT with the other company (not Company A), after graduation?

2. Can Company A retract my H-1B if I leave them?

3. Being on F-1 can Company A start my green card if I win the H-1B lottery?

FAQ Transcript

1. If you file it as a consular processing you can continue working on F-1OPT for that company or another company.

2. Absolutely.

3. That depends upon which country you were born in. If you were born in India that's not such a great deal.

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

March 03, 2022 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Community Conference Call

Nonimmigrant Visas

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Discussion Topics, Thursday, March 03, 2022:

FAQ: Abandonment; can I leave the USA while a change of status is pending?/Stamping requirements || Relation between F-1 status and I-485 AOS (child covered under Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)) || Relation between F-1 OPT and H-1B lottery change of status and changing employers || Is doing an unpaid U.S. externship/observership with F-2 visa unauthorized employment? || Can parents of U.S. citizens travel to the U.S. on an existing B-2 visa while their GC is pending?

Rajiv's Blog: Biden announces STEM changes for F-1, J-1, O-1A and National Interest Waivers

2 years ago By Chief Editor

The Biden administration earlier announced changes in immigration policy treatment of STEM fields that provide welcome opportunities to the people holding F-1 and J-1 visas in the United States.

For more details please visit this link:

Biden announces STEM changes for F-1, J-1, O-1A and National Interest Waivers

2 years ago By Rajiv S. Khanna

24 January 2022

Students in the following fields will be able to obtain STEM OPT extensions for 24 months:

Jan 6, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

FAQ: Consular processing employment-based green card with a job offer from a different employer

Options to remain in status: F-1 visa expired, H-1B approved for consular processing, but not stamped

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

My son got his H-1B approved on consular processing this year which also happens to be the first year on OPT. His F-1 Visa expired in June and he is unable to travel to India for lack of slots for H-1B stamping I wish to know the following:

Is there a time limit for getting the approved H-1B visa stamped?, and
If for some reason he is unable to travel next year as well can he extend his stem opt to remain in status?

FAQ Transcript

1. No.

2. Yes, because remember he has deferred his H-1B change of status by requesting consular processing

Rajiv's Article - Republicans attempt another shot at H-1B and OPT

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Published by: The Economic Times - Date: December 20, 2021

Synopsis
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job openings has increased to a record 11.0 million. The 27 million small businesses, responsible for almost 50% of the GDP, are the most severely affected. They cannot find workers. A Bill like this would destroy them.

For more on this article please see the attachment below.

Documents required for F-1 OPT holders to travel to the United States of America during pandemic

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I am on my OPT period (June 1st, 2021 - May 31st, 2022) and am working for a company in the USA. I plan to travel to India for my sister's wedding from December 18th, 2021, to December 28th, 2021. The following are my questions for travel in these COVID situations:

1. I wanted to know the details for entering the USA. What documents should I have while entering the USA?

2. Does the USA allow OPT holders to enter?

A1: You will need to contact your DSO for endorsement on your I-20 to travel, evidence that you have been working (like pay stubs), and a letter from your employer confirming that you will be returning to your ongoing employment.

FAQ Transcript

F-1 OPT and travel during pandemic

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I am on F1 OPT and in the U.S. My OPT started in Jan 2021. My wife is in India and just got her F-2 visa. We both are Indian and haven't been able to meet. Would you please tell us if she can travel to the U.S.? Most places say that the program needs to start on or after August 1st, but I am very confused, given that my OPT began in January.

OPT is considered an ongoing program. She can travel now, subject only to the Covid-19 related health directives.

FAQ Transcript

Aug 19, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Community Conference Calls

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration Law

Forms

Green Card

FAQ: EB-3 petition downgrade; CSPA protection for 21 year old son I-485 Green Card final interview process/questions asked, etc. Retaining valid H-1B status while AOS is pending and when to file Supplement J

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